Nunavut communities face boil water orders as Sanikiluaq advisory drags on
Baker Lake, Coral Harbour, Rankin Inlet under boil water orders; Sanikiluaq faces salinity concerns, GN says
Several Nunavut communities remain under drinking water advisories, with residents in Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet and Coral Harbour required to boil water before use, while Sanikiluaq continues to face a long-term “do not consume” order. (File photo)
The Health Department is reminding residents in four Nunavut communities that drinking water advisories are still in effect.
Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet and Coral Harbour are under boil water advisories. Residents are being told to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth or preparing infant formula, the department said in advisories issued Friday.
The Baker Lake advisory was first issued in February, following a mechanical problem at the community’s treatment plant.
Coral Harbour has been under an order since June due to inconsistent chlorine levels. Rankin Inlet’s advisory is linked to scheduled maintenance on the water system.
In Sanikiluaq, a “do not consume” advisory continues due to high sodium levels that have plagued the community’s water supply since 2016.
In Friday’s advisory, residents are told to use reverse osmosis units installed in every household or rely on store-bought water until a new treatment plant is operational.
Funding for a new treatment plant in Sanikiluaq includes $22.2 million from the federal government and $7.4 million from the Government of Nunavut, as announced in January 2024. A construction timeline has not yet been released.
No worries ,our h2o trratment plant always over mix chlorine in our water. Sometimes making our tub green .